Conducted by Raamesh Chandra, Editor
In this insightful interview, Goutam Surana, the founder of Eco365, shares his journey and vision for promoting environmental sustainability and water conservation in India. Inspired by his childhood experiences in Assam and the stark realities of water scarcity in urban areas, Surana embarked on a mission to address these pressing issues. Eco365, initially focused on introducing waterless urinal technology, has expanded its offerings to include water-saving taps, aerators, and compostable plastics. Surana emphasizes the critical role of corporate and individual consumers in water conservation efforts, with approximately 50% of Eco365’s customers purchasing products directly. Notable successes include collaborations with major brands for packaging needs and retrofitting over 100 apartments with water-saving solutions. Despite being a bootstrapped company, Surana is optimistic about the future, aiming to make India a leader in water efficiency while scaling up Eco365’s impact in promoting sustainability. With a commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship, Eco365 continues to pave the way for India’s greener, more water-efficient future.
Q: Could you start by introducing yourself? What led to the creation of Eco365? How does Eco365 help conserve water?
Goutam: I come from Assam, and my upbringing made me acutely aware of the value of water. However, during my MBA in Mumbai, the stark reality of water scarcity in urban India hit me. The struggle for basic water needs prompted me to vow that any business venture I embarked upon would be aimed at environmental sustainability. 2010, during a trip to Malaysia, I learned about waterless urinals and was inspired to introduce this technology to India. Thus, Eco365 was born. Over the years, we expanded our offerings to include water-saving taps, aerators, and compostable plastics. Our solutions have saved over 3,500 crore litres of water, catering primarily to corporate clients but also available to individual consumers.
Q: Are your customers primarily corporate, or do you cater to consumers directly?
Goutam: Approximately 50% of our customers are individual consumers who purchase our products directly, often through platforms like Amazon. Our products’ affordability and significant water savings make them appealing to a wide range of consumers.
Q: What are some of your products that are a big hit among consumers?
Goutam: Our kitchen water savers, which reduce flow rates while maintaining efficiency, have been particularly popular. They offer substantial water savings without compromising functionality.
Q: Are there collaborations with other brands as well?
Goutam: Some brands purchase our products to integrate into their offerings. However, the absence of plumbing efficiency norms in India means many companies prioritize cheaper, higher-flow products.
Q: Does Eco365 face any competition from other notable brands?
Goutam: While competitors are in specific product categories, our comprehensive range sets us apart. We are the market leader in several areas, focusing on delivering holistic water conservation solutions.
Q: Is Eco365 funded, or is it a bootstrap?
Goutam: We are proud to be a bootstrapped company that emphasizes sustainability in every aspect of our operations. Our commitment to delivering results has sustained us for 14 years.
Q: Can you speak a little about your other venture?
Goutam: In addition to water conservation, we are deeply invested in promoting compostable plastics. Our products provide a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and enrich soil when composted.
Q: Would you like to share some of your success stories about 365 products that you have implemented?
Goutam: We’ve collaborated with major brands like Max, Irwin Group, and Lulu Supermarkets for their packaging needs. Additionally, we’ve retrofitted over 100 apartments with water-saving solutions, reducing consumption by 20-30%.
Q: Is Eco365 looking for any investors in the future?
Goutam: As we expand our operations, investment may become necessary to fuel our growth. Despite recent challenges, we are optimistic about our trajectory and the impact we can achieve.
Q: Looking ahead, what are Eco365’s future goals and initiatives for advancing its mission of promoting water conservation?
Goutam: We aim to make India a leader in water efficiency by advocating for implementing water-efficient norms. Additionally, we see tremendous potential in the compostable plastics market, with plans to scale up production and innovation.
In essence, Eco365 remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, striving to create a greener, more water-efficient future for India.
